Chief Engineer

What you will be doing

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled hospitality professional to lead the Engineering and Maintenance Department and play a vital role in the successful opening of our new hotel. This leader will be responsible for establishing preventative maintenance programs, ensuring operational readiness, protecting the hotel's physical assets, and building a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence from day one.

JOB SUMMARY: At Tempo by Hilton, our Team Members are the heart of hospitality. Guided by Hilton's Values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership, and Now, the Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, maintenance, and operation of all hotel building systems, equipment, and facilities.

The Chief Engineer will oversee a maintenance team of approximately 3-6 team members and will be responsible for ensuring the continued operation of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety, and structural systems throughout the 144-room hotel. This role is critical in providing a safe, comfortable, and efficient environment for guests and team members while maintaining Hilton brand standards and asset preservation objectives.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Engineer will play a significant role in the hotel's pre-opening efforts, including construction coordination, systems commissioning, warranty management, preventive maintenance program creation, vendor selection, and operational readiness.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and proven experience managing hotel facilities, maintenance personnel, contractors, and capital improvement projects.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting

• Frequently. Office work, scheduling, administrative duties, meetings, and computer functions.

Standing/Walking

• Constantly. Guestroom inspections, public area inspections, team member supervision, and daily hotel operations.

Crouching (Bend at knees)

• Frequently. Guestroom inspections, storage areas, and operational needs.

Reaching (Overhead/Extension)

• Frequently. Inspecting guestrooms and storage areas.

Kneeling/Crawling

• Occasionally. Inspecting furnishings, fixtures, and guestroom conditions.

Stooping (Bend at waist)

• Frequently. Room inspections, inventory management, and operational oversight.

Twisting/Turning (Knees/Waist/Neck/Back)

• Frequently. Department inspections and operational activities.

Climbing

• Occasionally. Stairs and ladders when necessary for inspections.

Balancing

• Occasionally. Stairways and hotel operational areas.

Lifting/Carrying

• Frequently. Housekeeping supplies, linens, chemicals, and equipment up to 35 pounds. Occasionally up to 50 pounds.

Pushing/Pulling

• Frequently. Linen carts, housekeeping carts, laundry carts, and operational equipment.

Working Environment:

Interior and exterior property environments.

Mechanical rooms, rooftops, utility areas, guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house spaces.

Exposure to weather conditions, chemicals, mechanical equipment, electrical systems, noise, heat, and confined spaces.

Availability to respond to emergencies and critical issues outside normal business hours.

Flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasional overnight responsibilities.

Participation in emergency response and disaster recovery efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS:

Engineering Operations

Direct and oversee all engineering, maintenance, and facility operations for the hotel.

Develop and implement comprehensive preventative maintenance programs.

Ensure guest rooms, public spaces, grounds, and back-of-house areas are maintained to Hilton brand standards.

Monitor and maintain HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire life safety, kitchen equipment, elevators, pools (if applicable), and building automation systems.

Conduct routine inspections of hotel facilities and equipment.

Maintain accurate records of repairs, maintenance schedules, warranties, inspections, permits, and compliance documentation.

Respond to and resolve engineering-related guest concerns in a timely manner.

Ensure work order completion and service request tracking.

Manage inventory of tools, equipment, supplies, and replacement parts.

Leadership & Team Development

Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop engineering team members.

Establish clear performance standards and accountability measures.

Conduct performance evaluations and ongoing coaching sessions.

Create a culture of safety, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Develop succession plans and support future leadership growth.

Lead daily department meetings and communicate operational priorities.

Ensure all engineering team members complete required training and certifications.

Property Asset Protection

Protect and preserve the hotel's physical assets through proactive maintenance and strategic planning.

Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Monitor warranty programs and vendor performance.

Participate in capital planning and major repair projects.

Coordinate preventative maintenance schedules to minimize guest disruption.

Ensure all company assets are properly maintained and secured.

Financial Management

Develop and manage the Engineering Department budget.

Monitor labor costs, maintenance expenses, utility consumption, and contractor expenditures.

Identify energy-saving opportunities and sustainability initiatives.

Obtain competitive bids and manage vendor contracts.

Analyze operational costs and recommend improvements.

Assist in long-term capital expenditure forecasting.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with all Hilton standards, company policies, and local building codes.

Maintain compliance with OSHA requirements and workplace safety standards.

Manage all life safety systems and required inspections.

Coordinate fire alarm, sprinkler, elevator, and emergency generator testing.

Ensure proper storage and handling of chemicals and hazardous materials.

Lead safety initiatives and accident prevention programs.

Maintain emergency preparedness procedures and documentation.

Opening Team Responsibilities

The successful opening of a new hotel presents unique engineering challenges, and the Chief Engineer will be instrumental in ensuring the property is fully operational and guest-ready.

Responsibilities include:

Partnering with ownership, contractors, architects, vendors, and brand representatives throughout the pre-opening process.

Participating in building turnover inspections and punch-list completion.

Assisting with equipment commissioning, testing, and operational acceptance.

Creating preventative maintenance programs for all building systems before opening.

Establishing engineering department standards, policies, and procedures.

Developing emergency response plans and life-safety programs.

Recruiting, onboarding, and training engineering team members.

Overseeing warranty management and vendor relationships during the first year of operation.

Supporting FF&E installation and operational readiness efforts.

Ensuring all permits, inspections, certifications, and regulatory requirements are completed prior to opening.

Helping establish a culture of ownership and preventative maintenance from the first day of operation.

Education and Experience

Associate degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Building Systems, Construction Management, or related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressive engineering experience; or

Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.

Minimum of three (3) years of hotel engineering management experience required.

Full-service hotel experience strongly preferred.

Hilton experience strongly preferred.

New hotel opening experience preferred.

Experience managing building automation systems, HVAC controls, and preventive maintenance programs preferred.

Technical certifications in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or related fields are highly desirable.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of hotel building systems and maintenance operations.
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical and operational issues.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Knowledge of life-safety systems, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Financial management and budgeting experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and emergency situations effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, maintenance management software, and hotel technology systems.
• Strong commitment to guest service, safety, and operational excellence.